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Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026

#DawsonProud, Dawson Blues, Student Services

Help us welcome Canada to Dawson!

Canada is coming to Dawson! From March 18–21, Dawson College will host the 2026 CCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship. For four exciting days during Dawson’s Spring Break, the Tony Proudfoot Gym will showcase the best women’s basketball in the country.

We sincerely thank colleagues and retirees who have already signed up! We are still actively recruiting volunteers.

Yes, you can volunteer with friends and family who do not work at Dawson. 

Please visit the link for more information and the sign-up form. 

Read More - Help us welcome Canada to Dawson!

Events, Learning opportunities, Office of Academic Development

Indigenous Perspectives series continues

Feb. 10, 10 AM to 12 PM

Indigenous Perspectives, documentary series: Rumble: the Indians who rocked the world.

This documentary tells the story of Native American influence on contemporary music.

Feb. 24, 10 AM to 11:45 AM    and    Feb. 25, 1 PM to 2:45 PM 

Indigenous Perspectives: Basic Call to Consciousness. Part 2: The Haudenosaunee message to the Western World at Geneva Switzerland, Autumn 1977

This presentation will consist of the reading and discussion of two chapters: Policies of oppression in the name of “Democracy” and Our strategy for survival.

#DawsonProud, From the Director General

Transparency and collaboration highlighted at Welcome Back assembly

About 300 faculty and staff gathered on Jan. 19 for Dawson’s Winter 2026 Welcome Back assembly, where Interim Director General Leanne Bennett kicked off the semester by emphasizing the importance of transparency, consultation, and community spirit in the months ahead.

Visit the link for the homepage news story.

Read More - Transparency and collaboration highlighted at Welcome Back assembly

Office of Academic Development

Call for Participants – Faculty Learning Communities

Sign-ups are currently open to participate in five new Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) running in the 2026-27 academic year! Here is the list of selected FLCs for next academic year:

  • Environmental Sustainability and Justice Frameworks across the Disciplines
  • The Embodied Classroom: Bringing the Body Back into Learning
  • The Post Prompt Classroom. Teaching in the Age of AI
  • Planning Assessments for Student (and Teacher) Well-Being
  • Re-enactment as a Pedagogical Activity:  Living the Real-Life Experience

Sign up here.

To read descriptions of each new FLC, please visit our website.

Photo caption: Media and Journalism FLC in action. Credit: Jeff Gandell

Office of Academic Development, Professional Development

We’re in “the business of mental health”: Ped Day keynote speaker

The mental health of CEGEP students has been deteriorating in recent years and continues to be a major issue even years after the pandemic. Dawson Ped Day keynote speaker Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt listed several contributing factors, such as social media, relationship thinning and developmental mismatch and provided some practical things teachers can do to counter these influences.

Visit the link for the homepage news story, which includes a link to Ped Day resources.

Read More - We’re in “the business of mental health”: Ped Day keynote speaker

#DawsonProud, Dawson Professional Theatre, Events

Dawson Theatre play “Revolt. She said. Revolt again.” on now

The Graduating students of the Professional Theatre Department open their new play this week: Revolt. She said. Revolt again. by Alice Birch.  Through a series of arresting vignettes and a collection of contemporary characters, the play examines the language, behaviour and forces impacting women in the 21st century, and asks what's stopping us from doing something truly radical to affect change? Directed by Stefanie Buxton.

  • $5 shows for the Dawson community: On now through Feb. 7

See all the showtimes and get your tickets here: https://thepointofsale.com/tickets/revolt

#DawsonProud, Communications Office, Dawson Gives, Events, Student Services

Save the Date for Artists in Bloom: April 16

Save the Date and join us for Artists in Bloom! This year will be the 28th annual edition of the beloved Dawson community fundraising event. We are excited to welcome you to the event and to see what our talented student artists from the Illustration and Visual Arts programs will produce.

Artists in Bloom will take place on Thursday, April 16 in 3C.1. Painting will begin at the usual time of 6 PM. Doors open at 5:30 PM.

Mark it in your calendar and stay tuned for more details!

Student Services, Well-being for all

Vaccination Day at Dawson College

Open to all students and staff, a Vaccination Day has been scheduled to support the Dawson community in updating their vaccination status.

Date: February 10, 2026
Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Location: back of Conrod’s (2F.4)

  • Free vaccines provided in compliance with Québec Immunization Program recommendations.
  • Québec Vaccination Records update offered: please bring any relevant medical documents for record updating.
  • Attestation and/or update of your vaccines provided to students enrolled in Health programs.

First come, first served: no booking required.

Please bring your RAMQ card (not mandatory, but preferable).

Facilities Management, Health and Safety Committee

Emergency or accident on campus? Call Dawson Security first!

In an emergency, every second counts. Dawson Campus Security is your first contact for all accidents or urgent situations on campus. They will call 911 and coordinate with Urgences‑Santé and police if needed. Team members are trained First Aiders and can also quickly locate defibrillators (AED) and first aid kits.

If you witness an accident or face an emergency:

  • Call 514‑931‑8731 x 1000 or dial 1000 from any Dawson phone
  • Or go to Room 2E.14
  • Do not call 911
  • Do not go to Student Health Services
#DawsonProud, Academic News, Sustainability, Well-being for all

Book your class for the Cooking for Justice learning experience

As an extension of the Food Justice Program at Dawson College, which offers free vegetarian or vegan meals and snacks five days a week, the Office of Sustainability wanted to keep the goodwill and love going through the launch of the Cooking for Justice program last fall.

Every month, faculty and their students come together to create a beautiful meal that is donated to Resilience Montreal, a local day shelter for unhoused and economically precarious individuals living in Montreal.

Visit the link for more info and to book your class.

Read More - Book your class for the Cooking for Justice learning experience

#DawsonProud, Well-being for all

Dawson’s “Auntie” Brenda Paris part of McCord exhibit

Since I started working at Dawson many years ago, I have always believed that it is not only an important educational institution but contributes much to the wider Montreal community. Another perfect example of that is happening at the McCord Stewart Museum right now.

Curated by Nadia Bunyan, Aunties’ Work: The Power of Care is a vital and stimulating exhibit that will provide much food for thought to all those who see it. For Dawson support staff, professionals and managers, you could go see the exhibit solo or with colleagues and use your one hour per week (four hours/month) of Well-Being for All Hours.

Visit the link to the homepage news story by Carey-Ann Pawsey.

Read More - Dawson’s “Auntie” Brenda Paris part of McCord exhibit

#DawsonProud, From the Director General

Four teachers honoured at Ped Day

Dawson College proudly celebrated four exceptional teachers at Winter Ped Day on Jan. 14, where they received the Director General’s Teaching Excellence Award for 2024–2025.

Honoured this year were: Michael Duckett (History), Felix Fuchs (English), Jennifer Koopman (Humanities), and Meghan Waugh (Interior Design). Each of them was nominated by students and colleagues for their inspiring teaching and commitment to creating engaging learning environments. Their work exemplifies Dawson’s mission to put students and quality learning at the heart of everything we do.​

A feature article was published in November when their names were announced: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/news/four-dawson-teachers-honoured-for-teaching-excellence/

Photo, left to right: Interim Director General Leanne Bennett with Teaching Excellence recipients: Meghan, Michael, Jennifer and Felix at Ped Day.

Dawson Remembers, Milestones

In memoriam: Roslyn Silver

Dawson mourns the passing of one of the most distinctive voices and enthusiastic members of its community. Roslyn Silver passed away on November 24 after facing health challenges for a number of years. She was surrounded by her loved ones and closest friends until the end.

Visit the link for the obituary by Donna Varrica.

Read More - In memoriam: Roslyn Silver

#DawsonProud

Dawson College Model United Nations drew 200 participants

After nine months of work, DCMUN (Dawson College Model United Nations) welcomed over 200 attendees Jan. 16-18 to a bilingual conference, with a quarter of participating schools representing francophone delegations.

Visit the link for the homepage news story.

Read More - Dawson College Model United Nations drew 200 participants

Dawson Gives, Well-being for all

Give blood at Dawson Feb. 17-18-19

Every 80 seconds in Quebec, someone needs blood. You can donate blood at Dawson on Feb. 17-18-19 from 9 AM to 4 PM in 3C.1.

Light refreshments provided.

Book your appointment here:  https://www.hemaquebec.ca/en/book-appointment

Dawson Remembers, Milestones

In memoriam: Louise Kralka

The College received the sad news that Louise Kralka, who served on the Board of Governors for eight years between 2009 and 2017, passed away on January 20. She was 68 years old. The celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, January 31. Details are contained in the obituary at  https://voluntas.ca/obituaries/kralka-louise/.

Louise was a dedicated member of the extended Dawson community with close friends at the College, and her son Patrick McBride who worked for a time in Facilities Management. An active and engaged member of the Board, she was Chair between June 2014 and February 2017 after serving as Vice-Chair, and she contributed to many Board-related committees.

Dawson Remembers, Milestones

In memoriam: Pierre Landry

Retired music teacher Pierre Landry has died. His obituary can be found here:

https://yveslegare.com/pages/avis-de-deces/pierre-landry-1964902

Sustainability, Well-being for all

Help Dawson power up recycling!

Dawson has joined a friendly campus competition to see who can collect the most used batteries—and we need your help! In collaboration with Environnement Jeunesse and Appel à Recycler® through the Recycle Your Batteries Canada program (Canada’s leader in battery and cell recycling), Dawson has a chance to win $1,000.

Bring your used batteries to the Recycling Centre on the second floor, across from the Information Desk, and help keep hazardous waste out of landfills.

Deadline: March 15, 2026
Every battery counts—let’s charge ahead together!

Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery

What is art for?

The Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery is proud to present What is art for? a project germinated by Montreal artist and educator Kathleen Vaughan during the pandemic, when she asked this question and provided collaborators with the art materials to respond. Over 80 participants created material and digital works finally displayed together to reveal their hopes and fears in a space transformed for art creation.

Link to the gallery site: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/art-gallery/

Image credit: Various artists, 2020, photography Veronica Mockler

#DawsonProud

New article by Dónal Gill

Political Science faculty member Dónal Gill has published a new article: https://perspectivesjournal.ca/confidence-supply-communications/

The article is about the strategic communications used by the NDP during the 2022-24 Supply and Confidence Agreement with the Liberals and uses sentiment analysis on the leader's social media posts.

#DawsonProud, Dawson Gives

Thank you, Dawson!

A message from organizer Janice Harvey (Dawson Scholar in Residence, History):

"Batshaw's Holiday Gift Drive collected presents for more than 2,000 children and teens this year. I wanted to thank the Dawson community for their generous and continued support of this effort to ensure children in care have something to make their holiday a little bit more enjoyable.

This year Dawson covered more than 74 children, among them a number of newborns and infants, youngsters needing winter clothes and others requesting toys instead, a number of teens, and, importantly, ten 17-year-olds who will leave the Youth Protection system at some point this year."

Human Resources

ICYMI: New email for medical issues

Please note that effective January 1, 2026, employees that have questions about medical/disability leave, or need to send medical or health-related documents to Human Resources related to a medical/disability leave must use the following new email:  medicalhr@dawsoncollege.qc.ca


This email has been set up to ensure your information is treated promptly and confidentially.

Kindly stop using the Benefits email for disability/medical matters going forward. If you have already sent documents to Human Resources via any other email, no further action is needed.  The Benefits email is for non-medical (or disability leave) issues.

Human Resources

ICYMI: new group insurance rates

Please note that the College has received new group insurance rates from Beneva (formerly SSQ and LaCapitale) for Faculty, Professionals, Support Staff and Managers for 2026. These new rates, where applicable, will come into effect for most people on the pay of January 15, 2026.   

The College asks that everyone take a moment to review the various benefit deductions on their January 15th, 2026 pay (please keep in mind that the listed premium rates from Beneva and SSQ do not include the mandatory 9% sales tax).  

If you do notice a discrepancy, kindly contact us as soon as possible.

Staff with group insurance coverage can find all pertinent information (rates, information brochures, etc.) on Dawson’s new employee portal : Employee Insurance and Benefits or Assurance et avantages sociaux des employés.  Choose among the employment categories available and then scroll down for the rates.

If you have any questions, please contact the Benefits team at benefits@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

DawsonITE

DawsonITE Newsletter # 690

DawsonITE is your curated news related to IST and Education prepared by Dawson's Rafael Scapin.

In this issue:

  • A free version of ChatGPT built for teachers
  • AI is widespread in higher ed, but is it helping or hurting student learning?
  • How wearable tech will change your life

Read More - DawsonITE Newsletter # 690

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Last Modified: January 29, 2026

 

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